Test Engineer (Actuators/Mechanical Systems)
Joby Aviation
Santa Cruz, CA · Posted October 22, 2026
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About the job
Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. Since 2009, our team has worked steadily to make this dream a reality. We’ve designed and tested many generations of prototype aircraft capable of serving in a network of electric air taxis. We’re looking for talented, committed individuals to join our team as we push onward toward certifying the Joby aircraft, scaling our manufacturing, and launching our initial commercial service.
Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking a highly organized, passionate individual to join our Testing Team. As part of this team, you will perform validation and verification testing of flight-critical components and sub-systems for VTOL electric aircraft. The data collected during these tests will inform the company’s hardware design efforts and pave the way to production ready hardware.
Responsibilities
Create, and mentor others in the creation of, test setups for validation and verification of aircraft hardware
Work closely with the Airframe and Actuators, Propulsion and Avionics, and Software teams to capture the nuances of components, system architectures, and operating conditions to build representative tests
Develop formal test plans, test procedures, instrumentation plans, test stand/fixture designs, data acquisition architectures, and necessary tools for thorough and repeatable testing
Analyze data collected during testing to generate reports providing quantifiable feedback to engineering teams for hardware optimization
Manage project status and timelines for the Testing Team and collaborate with Team Leads to ensure proper resource allocation to de-risk critical paths
Create and implement tools to maximize Testing Team productivity
Manage hardware needs for the Testing Team and provide recommendations for investment
Required
Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of experience, or Advanced degree with relevant university project experience (or equivalent work experience)
Experience with hardware testing in a laboratory environment
Electromechanical or robotics experience, with familiarity in servo actuation concepts
Experience performing verification and validation testing of mechanical and electromechanical systems
Ability to perform hands-on testing, including setting up and executing tests with test hardware and data acquisition systems
Proficiency in using LabVIEW for data collection and DIAdem or MATLAB for data processing
Experience with mechanical design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and manufacturing drawing creation
Strong analytical background with excellent problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills
Desired
Experience with industrial test laboratory environments and procedures
Experience with high-voltage systems
Project management experience
Experience with Dassault Systèmes CATIA (specifically Generative Shape Design, Part Design, and Assembly Design)
Hands-on machine shop skills using a lathe, mill, welder, and other fabrication equipment
Aircraft homebuilding or rapid prototyping experience
Familiarity with aircraft FAA certification processes
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $90,100 - $143,500/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.